Fernando Torres played the final match of his long, storied career on Friday. El Niño won everything there is to win in soccer: youth championships, two European championships, a World Cup and a Champions League. He scored everywhere he went (though it took him a while at Chelsea) and has never been disparaged as a bad teammate.
Having announced his retirement in June, Torres, now 35 and playing with Sagan Tosu in the J-League, played his final match against Vissel Kobe, a club with a few familiar faces. Lining up opposite Torres on Friday were longtime Spain teammates David Villa and Andres Iniesta.
Before Torres’ final match, Iniesta, a companion since their days on the Spanish national youth teams (they won the U-19 European championship together), wrote a farewell letter to his dear friend, published in El Mundo.
The heartfelt words were a wonderful ode to a brilliant player’s brilliant career, even if he was often maligned for his slow start at after Chelsea paid a massive fee to pry him from Liverpool.
Translated, the letter reads:
Andres Iniesta Letter To Fernando Torres
It’s been a wonderful journey
How strange. Don't say no to me, Fernando. It's very strange, I'd say beautifully strange. Here we both are, about to play your last game as a professional. I still have some left. Here we are, on the other side of the world. It's as if life, whimsical as she is, had brought us all the way to Japan to say goodbye. Football brought us together more than 20 years ago, when we were children. Well, you will always be El Niño. And it will never separate us. We met when we had utopian dreams. That goal you scored us at the U-16 European Championship with the national team in England. I'll never forget the gesture you made to dedicate that goal to me. I saw it on TV because I had to go home with an injury.
Remember, Fernando, that jersey signed in Trinidad and Tobago with a promise that seemed unachievable. But we did it. And since then, always together. Vienna, Johannesburg... That unforgettable pass from Xavi for you that you credit to the master, Luis (Aragones). That center of yours for all of us to score the most important goal of our lives. Separated, but always together. And until the last moment, above shirts or clubs. We lived in different cities. You in Madrid and me in Barcelona. But we were never enemies. Just friends who wore a different shirt, fused, yes, always in a red skin. Or Rojita, whatever we want to call it.
Because our history, although many don't know it, comes from far away. From far away. It didn't matter that one day you crossed borders on your way to the Premier League, where they discovered the talent of a unique Niño, first at Liverpool and then at Chelsea. When you returned to your home, to Atlético, I was moved like everyone else because football, beyond successes or failures in sport, is a way of understanding life. And you, Fernando, have dignified this sport. Our sport. I'm not talking about the goals you've scored, because years ago I lost count, or the titles you've won in your wonderful career. I'm talking about your behavior, your respect for the game, the team-mate, the opponent and, of course, the ball.
The one that we began to spend in anonymous fields, away from spotlights, cameras, until we came to share thousands of previous experiences before winning a World Cup for our country. When we meet in Spain, I'll show you that shirt, that treasure that nobody else discovered. Although, it is true, there is no greater treasure than your friendship, Fernando.
It's been a wonderful journey. It has taken us to every corner of the world. And look where we are today. In Tosu, you and I playing a football match. One more. But it's not just another one, it's your last game, who knew? You face David Villa and I. Then you'll go home. Yours are waiting for you, although you have to know that the ball will be sadder today than yesterday. Enjoy everything that comes to you now and be happy. But how strange, Fernando. You haven't left yet and I miss you already.
(Translation via u/FernandoTorresIMO.)
Beautiful stuff from one of the most beloved footballers on the planet. Torres and Iniesta never played on the same club team together, but the fondness for each other from their time playing for Spain is evident.
Unfortunately for Torres, his final match did not go so well on the pitch.
Iniesta converted a penalty kick as Vissel routed Sagan 6-1. The only goal for Torres’ side came on an own goal from former Barcelona center back Thomas Vermaelen.
The highlight of the match was Iniesta’s volleyed pass to set up Vissel’s third goal.
Well, that and Torres being serenaded by the home crowd after the match.
For those who want to see how El Niño performed in his final match, at age 35, you can watch all of his touches below.
Torres played the full 90, though he was unable to get on the score sheet. However, he was still scoring up until his retirement. On Aug. 14, he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Kashiwa Reysol in the Emperor’s Cup, though Sagan is currently in the relegation zone with about 10 matches left.
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